Page 45 of Highland Flame

“Ugh,” mumbled North, making a face at what Cam was doing. He walked over and flipped the lever. The stone door slid open to reveal Yvaine, Brother Gillies, and Avianca standing there waiting for them.

“It’s like magic,” said Avianca in awe. Although her eyes were wide in amazement, Cam was sure part of the reason was because she was scared of the dark and dreary catacombs. She clung to Yvaine’s skirt so tightly that her knuckles went white.

Yvaine wasn’t wearing a nun’s robe today. For that, Cam was glad. The last thing he wanted was to be having lustful thoughts about a woman dressed like a nun, no matter if she really was one or not. Today, Yvaine wore her own clothes.

“Ye brought my daughter here? Into the catacombs?” asked Cam, shaking his head, not liking the idea in the least.

“I did,” admitted Yvaine. “She wanted to see where ye and yer friends slept, and so did I.” Yvaine balanced a platter of food on one hand, while smoothing back the little girl’s hair with the other. “She’s all right. There is no need to worry.”

“I’m no’ scared, if that’s what ye think,” said Avianca, trying to sound brave. Cam could hear the tremble of her voice and knew it was only bravado that made her say it.

“We missed you all at the morning prayers.” Brother Gillies did not at all look pleased.

“Right. Sorry about that,” said Cam, clearing his throat. “I guess we were a little tired this mornin’.”

“Aye, we were,” agreed Nash. “However, my brathair and I were tired for a whole different reason than Cam.”

“What do ye mean?” asked the monk.

Cam threw his friends a daggered look. “They mean they were fishin’ while I was helpin’ yer sister set up shop.”

“Sure, it does. If that’s what ye want to call it,” mumbled Nash.

Cam ignored him, and continued. “I never thought puttin’ together a chandler’s shop would be so much work.”

“That’s no’ even half of it,” explained Yvaine. “I only brought with me the things I could fit in the wagon. I’ll have to make do with what I was able to take, but it willna be easy.”

“What’s that ye’ve got there?” asked Cam, smelling the food, stretching his neck to see it.

“I thought ye all might be hungry since ye missed the mornin’ meal.” Yvaine walked in and put down the tray on a nearby table.

“What kind of food do we have here?” asked Nash, anxiously pushing North aside to see the array of food being offered.

“There is a small loaf of bread for each of you, as well as some cheese and fruit,” explained the monk.

“Thankfully, no grapes,” commented Nash, picking up a loaf of bread and taking a big bite. “I never want to see another grape as long as I live.”

“Or fish,” added North.

“Give them the ale, Avianca,” said Yvaine, nodding to the little girl. The girl took a bottle from the monk and handed it over to Cam.

“Here ye are, Da,” she said with a big smile, holding the bottle carefully with two hands.

Nash and North both stopped eating and looked over in surprise at hearing her call him Da. Neither of them said a word about it.

“Thank ye, Avianca. Ye’re a guid helper.” Cam took the ale from her, not reprimanding her from calling him Da. Today, he kind of liked it. “Well, what do ye think of the room?” he asked Yvaine. “Impressive, isna it?” He stepped to the side and held out his arm.

“Very nice,” she said, walking into the center of the room. Her foot hit something, and she looked down. “What’s that?” After picking up a chess piece, she inspected it closer.

“Oh, my!” exclaimed the monk, his eyes opening wide. “What in heaven’s name is Lord Rook’s chess game doin’ on the floor?”

“I knocked into the table in the dark and it fell over. I guess I neglected to pick it up,” explained Cam.

“If you three can’t take care of things in here, you’ll have to sleep in the stable instead,” the monk warned them, picking up piece after piece. “This game is special to Lord Rook. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to it.”

Cam thought it odd that the monk should say that, after he told them Rook didn’t want to bring the game to his new castle. He figured there was more of a story behind it, but it wasn’t for him to ask.

“We’ll get that,” said Cam, nodding to his friends. Together, they picked up every piece and put them back on the game board atop the table. “Now, there will be nothin’ for Lord Rook to get angry about.”